VIDEO: House fire investigation continues after elderly man pulled from blaze in Worksop

Firefighters are continuing to investigate a 'traumatic' house fire in Worksop, in which an elderly man was rescued.
The fire-damaged house in Firbeck CrescentThe fire-damaged house in Firbeck Crescent
The fire-damaged house in Firbeck Crescent

Crews from Worksop and Harworth were called to the blazing house fire on Firbeck Crescent, Langold, at 7.45am yesterday (April 12) where they found smoke billowing from the back of the property.

Witnesses said the service rescued the man from his home before handing him over to the ambulance service who “worked on him for 30 minutes” before taking him to hospital - where he remains today.

The pensioner’s condition is not yet known, though a neighbour remarked he “looked in a very bad way”.

The fire-damaged house in Firbeck CrescentThe fire-damaged house in Firbeck Crescent
The fire-damaged house in Firbeck Crescent

Hoses and breathing equipment were used to extinguish the fire. The house is now cordoned off by police tape while an investigation takes place.

David Meadows, the man’s next door neighbour, said he attempted to rescue him by climbing up to his bedroom window and smashing it.

He said: “I was informed that his house was on fire so I instantly got dressed. I climbed over the fence and kicked his back door in.

“The fire was in the corner and I tried to put it out with water but that made it worse, so I put some compost on it to try and smother it.

The fire-damaged house in Firbeck CrescentThe fire-damaged house in Firbeck Crescent
The fire-damaged house in Firbeck Crescent

“I ran into the living room but I couldn’t see him in there so I went upstairs. But the smoke was too much so I had to get out.

“I climbed up to the bedroom window and smashed that. I couldn’t see him so I thought he wasn’t in there.”

Another resident of Firbeck Crescent, who did not wish to be named, said the event was “traumatic”.

“We heard everything,” they added. “We heard screaming and shouting so we looked outside the window.

“It was at the back of the house. The next door neighbour tried to get up the stairs, but the smoke was too thick.

“His partner brought him a ladder and he climbed up and smashed the bedroom window.

“We grabbed some fire extinguishers but we couldn’t get near it. About 10-15 minutes later the fire engines turned up.”

The man, who is thought to be in his 70s, was described as another resident as a “lovely man who would do anything for anyone.”

“He might be in his 70s, but he is an active 70 year old who does loads of odd jobs for people around here,” she said.

“He is well known and everyone on the road is very concerned for him. When I saw him he lifted onto the stretcher, he looked in a very bad way.

“We are all just hoping that he’s alright.”

Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue will also have a community safety team out and about in the area today to reassure the community and offer free fire safety advice.

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